Former finance and media executive
Eric Lon Shuman, formerly of Chelsea, died on Friday morning, August 7, 2026. He was 71.
A devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, Eric passed away suddenly on the third hole at Noyac Golf Club in Sag Harbor, New York, doing what he loved so much – playing golf surrounded by dear friends.
Born in Brookline, Eric was the son of Edythe Shuman and the late George Shuman. Eric and his wife, Elizabeth (Betsy), were married in 1985, and together they built a life centered around family. Together, Eric and Betsy raised two children in New Canaan, Connecticut: his son, Gregory and his daughter, Elizabeth (Libby). Eric had four grandchildren whom he also adored, all under age 6.
Eric attended Chelsea public schools where he played baseball and was captain of the basketball team. He then graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Boston College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Management. At BC, Eric set the foundation for a career in Finance where he worked for some of the most prominent names in media, education, and publishing.
Eric began his career in Boston at Coopers & Lybrand, now PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he ultimately became an Audit Partner, with clients ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies across a broad array of industries. He then worked for 15 years with the Thomson Corporation (now Thomson Reuters) in Connecticut, in senior roles that included Chief Financial Officer of Thomson Newspapers, Chief Financial Officer of Thomson Learning and Chief Executive of Thomson Lifelong Learning Group, where he oversaw operations in higher education publishing, training and skills assessment.
In 2009, Eric joined Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as its Chief Operating Officer and was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2011. Working predominantly from Boston and Orlando, Florida, Eric spearheaded HMH’s financial transformation through a major financial restructuring, its 2013 initial public offering on the NASDAQ, and multiple strategic acquisitions. Upon his retirement in 2016, HMH’s CEO praised Eric’s contributions to the institution, and Eric himself reflected on how fortunate he had been to work with such a talented and dedicated team.
Eric never forgot his Chelsea roots and Boston College education, establishing a scholarship to support young people from Chelsea in pursuing higher education at BC. Eric also donated to the construction of the new Jordan Boys and Girls Club of Chelsea and supported various other charitable causes.
Eric is survived by his beloved wife, Betsy; his son, Greg, and his wife, Chrissy; his daughter, Libby, and her husband, Richard Ryan; Eric’s four grandchildren, Chase, Carter, Connor, and Elizabeth (Lily); his mother, Edythe Shuman; and his brother, Cary Shuman.
A Celebration of Life for Eric will be held on Friday, August 14 at 10 a.m. at the Robertaccio Funeral Home, 495 Main St., Center Moriches, Long Island, New York.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Eric Shuman Scholarship Fund at Boston College or a charity of your preference.